I warmly welcome all members of our College community to this first edition of our College newsletter, The Paduan, for 2024.

It has been a delight to be immersed in the many and varied activities of our busy return to school this year including our High Achievers Assembly, Opening of the School Year Mass, Welcome Evenings at each of our Campuses, Year 7 Camps, Year 10 Retreat and the Blessing & Opening of the Coolock Learning Centre, just to name a few.

Staff and students have returned to school this year with a renewed sense of excitement for what the year ahead holds and we look forward to sharing in many learning opportunities and celebrations throughout this year.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Justin Pollock (Year 12 2023), who has been selected to exhibit his VCE Systems Engineering work in Top Designs 2024 at Melbourne Museum.

Top Designs is an annual exhibition coordinated by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) in partnership with Museums Victoria, showcasing outstanding design works made by VCE and VCE VET students from schools across the state.

This year, only 92 works were selected for the exhibition from over 1,000 applications. Selected works exemplify the innovation, skill and creativity that can be achieved within the Victorian Curriculum.

Top Designs will run from Saturday 23 March until Sunday 14 July at the Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson St, Carlton.

Congratulations also to Amelia Craigie (Year 12 2024), who has been selected to perform their VCE VET Music (Performance) piece ‘Ain't No Way’ by Aretha Franklin at Top Class Music 2024 at Melbourne Recital Centre.

Top Class is an annual concert series coordinated by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) showcasing outstanding performances by VCE and VCE VET students from schools across the state.

This year, 166 top performing students were considered by expert panels for Top Class Music, and only 51 students were selected to perform. Selected performers exemplify the skill and creativity that can be achieved within the VCE curriculum.

Top Class Music takes place at Melbourne Recital Centre – 31 Sturt St, Southbank – on Wednesday 20 March 2024 at 10:00am and 2:00pm and Thursday 21 March at 1:30pm.

Congratulations to Hannah O'Loghlin (Year 12 2024) who was announced as the Mornington Peninsula 2024 Young Citizen of the Year as part of the Mornington Peninsula Shire Australia Day Local Awards. This was in recognition for Hannah's volunteer work and youth voice advocacy through representation on a number of advisory groups and panels. More information regarding Hannah’s achievements can be found at this link: https://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au...

Congratulations to Yasmine McCoy (Year 12 2024) who has been appointed as the MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools) representative on the Senior Secondary Pathways Student Advisory Panel. This is a wonderful opportunity for Yasmine and a testament to her dedication to continuous improvement.

College Events

High Achievers Assembly, Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday

On Tuesday 13 February, we celebrated our annual High Achievers Assembly, which is usually one of the times throughout the school year where we all come together as a College community. Parents and guardians will be aware that a late change was enacted due to the extreme weather conditions predicted for this day and I extend my sincere thanks to all students and staff for their cooperation in the late change in plans for the running of this celebration. While it would have been our preference for the College community to gather together, given the weather conditions, livestreaming the event was the best option for all involved.

The assembly still provided the opportunity for us to celebrate our high achieving graduating 2023 students, as well as a number of Year 11 2023 students who completed Unit 3/4 subjects last year. It is important that we celebrate this success as a College community not only to acknowledge these achievements but also to provide the rest of the student body the opportunity to see what success looks like and aspire to achieve their own personal best.

Tuesday 13 February also marked Shrove Tuesday where we all prepare ourselves for Ash Wednesday and the commencement of Lent. Following the assembly, all students across the campuses were provided with pancakes to mark this significant date.

On Wednesday 14 February, all students were involved in Ash Wednesday liturgies which conveyed the significance and solemnity of the 40 days of Lent which concludes at Easter. Thanks to the members of the College Faith Team for arranging and leading these liturgies.

College Opening Mass

Later the same week we celebrated our College Opening Mass on Thursday 15 February in the Mornington Campus gym. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Geoff McIlory, along with Fr Shymon Thekkekalathungal and Deacon Graeme Pender where we welcomed new students to the College, particularly our new Year 7 students, as well as acknowledged our 2024 student leaders. The Mass focused on our College theme for the year, ‘May the love you have in your hearts be shown outwardly in your deeds’, taken from the words of St Clare of Assisi.

I would particularly like to acknowledge the students from the Music in the Spirit class at both the College Assembly and Opening Mass. These students are amazingly talented, and we are privileged to have them share these talents with us.

College Leaders

I congratulate our 2024 College Captains: Oscar Donnelly and Yasmine McCoy, along with Vice Captains: Maya Denvir and Jack Galvin who have had a wonderful start to the year, leading the student body at our commencement celebrations. I look forward to continuing to work with these school leaders throughout the year.

House Welcome Evenings

House Welcome Evenings have occurred at each of the Campuses and this has been a wonderful opportunity for our parents, particularly those new to Padua College, to meet with their child’s House Co-ordinator and Homeroom Teacher. I encourage all parents to contact their child’s Homeroom teacher as a first point of contact if there are any questions or concerns regarding your child.

Aspire9 Launch

Year 9 students from each of the Campuses came together on 7 February for the official launch of the 2024 Aspire9 Program at Seawinds, with the students participating in a symbolic walk from different locations to the one destination where we celebrated liturgy and lunch. Our Year 9 students participate in the year-long Aspire9 Program which includes camp experiences throughout the year and various activities each Day 8. Thank you to the Aspire9 Team for organising the launch day and the Aspire9 Program.

Year 10 Retreats

Last week all Year 10 students participated in the Wominjeka Retreat. Wominjeka is an Indigenous word meaning ‘welcome’ and the purpose of these retreats is to welcome all Year 10 students to the senior school. Read more in the Senior Campus section of this edition of the Paduan.

Coolock Learning Centre

Earlier this week on Wednesday 28 February, we welcomed Bishop Tony Ireland to the Mornington Campus for the official Blessing and Opening of the (Year 7 and 8) Coolock Learning Centre. This was a wonderful celebration being held during the school day allowing our Mornington Campus Year 7 and 8 students to also be a part of the day. The Coolock Learning Centre derives its name from the visionary Catherine McAuley, a woman whose profound commitment to education and compassion for others laid the foundation for the Sisters of Mercy and all those who follow. Catherine inherited Coolock House in Dublin, Ireland from the Callaghan family after caring for Mr & Mrs Callaghan through illness. The funds from the sale of this property allowed her to build the House of Mercy in Baggot Street, Dublin to work with the poor. That work and mission continue to this day.

Mobile Phone Policy

I wish to thank parents for their continued support of our College Mobile Phone Policy. At the commencement of 2019 Padua College implemented this Policy which does not permit students to access their phones during the school day and it has been met with great success with our students being so much more engaged with each other during the day.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind both students and parents that if mobile phones are brought to school, they are to be placed in lockers prior to the first bell, and remain in lockers throughout the day where they can then be accessed again after the final bell. Any mobile phones being used throughout the school day will be confiscated.

If students need to contact home throughout the day, they should see their House Coordinator or go to College Reception.

Uniform

A reminder to all members of the Padua College community that the College Uniform is expected at all times. The College Uniform policy can be found in the student diary (for Year 7 - 9 students) and on the College website: https://www.padua.vic.edu.au/p.... Wearing the College Uniform reflects our students’ pride in themselves and in the College and I ask all parents and guardians to make themselves familiar with these regulations and support us in ensuring that your child is wearing our College uniform correctly.

Enrolments

Year 7 2025 Enrolments

Please be aware that enrolments for Year 7 2025 were conducted last year with the Grade 5 2023 students. If you have a current Grade 6 2024 student who is not already enrolled or not on College waiting lists, you should contact Mrs Rachael McIvor, Enrolment Registrar, immediately.

Year 7 2026 Enrolments

Online Enrolments for Year 7 2026 at Padua College (children in Grade 5 2024) opened on Thursday 1 February 2024. Prospective families are invited to visit their nearest Junior Campus on a school tour to get a sense of the culture, community, environment, and opportunities that an education at Padua College offers, bookings can be made via the following link: https://www.padua.vic.edu.au/e....

Details regarding Year 7 2025 enrolment are now available on the College website https://www.padua.vic.edu.au/e....

Enrolment applications for Year 7, 2026 close Friday 10 May 2024.

School Photographs

Annual school photos have been taken at all Padua College campuses. To be able to view the images of your child and order photos, you will need to register online by going directly to the Arthur Reed website: https://order.arphotos.com.au . You have to enter the 2025 image code for your child (from their personalized flyer distributed by their Homeroom Teacher). Please note that all photo packages will be sent directly to you at home this year, so please ensure that you enter your correct details and delivery address upon checkout. If you do not have internet access or encounter difficulty ordering photos you may contact Arthur Reed directly on (03) 5243 4390 or email: customerservice@arphotos.com.au

Whom To Contact

Padua College works in partnership with parents, recognising families as the prime educator of their children. During the year, parents should feel free to contact the relevant staff if they require help or advice. Please access the list of Staff Contacts for 2024, available on the College website at this link: document will be sent separately.

Staffing News

This year we welcome Ms Angelina Ranson to the role of Vice Principal – Learning and Teaching. Angelina comes from Perth, most recently in the role of Dean of Academics at St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls. She has worked previously in Catholic Education in Perth and has ties with Mercy Education having worked at St Brigid’s College, Lesmurdie. It is wonderful to have Angelina join the Padua College community.

During Term 4 last year, we interviewed for the role of Deputy Principal – Head of Year 10-12 Campus. I am delighted to announce that commencing from Term 2 this year, Ms Caroline Jeremiah will take up this role. Some of you may remember Caroline who was previously employed at Padua College from 2018 - 2020. Caroline also comes with a range of experiences from St Peter’s College, SFX and most recently John Paul College. We are delighted to welcome Caroline in this role in Term 2.

For Term 1, I thank Ms Lisa Modd for taking up the role of Acting Deputy Principal Head of Campus at Mornington Campus and to assist this Mr Jim Baird has returned to Padua College this year and during Term 1 will take up the role as Acting Co-Director of Rosebud Campus. Jim will also be supporting in other leadership roles throughout the year providing consistency and support for staff, students and families.

Additionally, I would like to thank Mrs Kathleen Ronchi for taking on the role of Acting Campus Faith Coordinator at the Rosebud Campus while Lisa is a Mornington.

Also, I thank Mr Paul Ribet for taking on the role of Acting Assistant Head of Campus - Student Wellbeing & Growth (Year 10 - 12) during Term 1 while we seek a replacement for this position vacated by Ms Julie Young at the end of 2023. For student issues at the Year 10 - 12 Campus staff are advised to refer to Paul for students in the John XXIII, Merton, Francis & Elizabeth Houses and to Mr Patrick Janes for students in the Mercy, Bernard, MacKillop and Djeembana Houses.

Welcome

We welcome the following new and returning staff to the College this year:

Jean-Paul Antoine (M) Teacher/Director of Catholic Identity (M- Year 10-12)

Amy Beale (M) Teacher/Instructional Coach (Literacy)

Natalie Beattie (R) Teacher Eleanor Bridger (T) Teacher

Kristian Braff (M) Teacher

Lucy Bush (M) ESE LSO Ian Butler (M) Teacher

Michelle Charles (M) ESE Canteen

Julie Clough (M) Teacher/Careers Leader

Benjamin Cherry (R) Teacher

Frank Colcott (M) Teacher

Aidan Debernardi (M) Teacher

Kathryn De Lacy (M) Teacher/Frayne House Coordinator

Vilma Disney (M) Teacher

Marietta Farrant (M) Teacher

Darrell Faulkner (M) Teacher

Anne-Marie Furness (M) Teacher/Chisholm House Coordinator

Annike Griffey (M) ESE LSO

Carly Growney (T) ESE Tyabb Receptionist

Julie Haines (M) ESE/Digital Marketing Administrator

Audrey Halliday (R) Teacher

Helen Hariopolitis (T) ESE Counsellor

Caroline Heazlewood (M) Teacher

Marnie Kavanagh (T) Teacher

Bronwyn Keane (M) Teacher/Learning Enhancement Coordinator (M – Year 7-9)

Christopher Kitchingman (M) Teacher/ English Learning Leader

Kimberley Lee (M) ESE LSO

Natalie Lees (M) Outdoor Education and Physical Education Assistant

Andrew McMellon (M) Teacher

Ryleigh McSweeney-Tait (M) ESE LSO

Kyle Minicozzi (M) Teacher

Luke Morgan (M) Teacher/Sports Coordinator (Junior and Senior)

Stephanie Murphy (M) Teacher

Lauren Ori (M) Teacher

Eryn Parker (M) Teacher

Ruby Potter (M) Teacher

Joshua Probyn-Smith (M) Teacher/Kolbe House Coordinator

Angelina Ranson (M) Teacher/Vice Principal – Learning and Teaching

Christopher Ryan (M) Teacher/Assistant Head of Campus – Learning and Pedagogy (Year 7-9 Mornington Campus)

Dianne Saugy (M) ESE Learning Resource Centre Specialist

Emily Slaughter (M) Teacher / Learning Enhancement Coordinator (M – Year 10-12)

Mahima Stephen (R) Teacher

Breyten Storm (M) Teacher

Charlene Storm (M) Teacher / Assistant English Learning Leader

Nicholas Temple (M) Teacher

Corrie Williams (M) Teacher

Jessie Young (M) ESE Student Mentor

We welcome back the following Staff Returning from Leave at the Commencement of 2024:

Ann Anderson

Emma Cheers

Jing Lin

Stacey Romeril

Kelly Scheen

Karen Templeton

Jodie Williams

Matthew Williams

Campus Transfers for 2024:

Kellie Cook from Tyabb to Mornington

Danielle Palatinus from Mornington to Tyabb

Tahlia Little from Mornington to Tyabb

Staff Taking Leave at the Commencement of 2024:

Lance Albrecht (LSL)

Megan De Lange (LSL)

Emillio Di Paolo (LSL)

Michele Fatchen (LSL)

Nicola Gee (LSL)

Lauren Rothschild (LSL)

Tina Van Wees (LSL)

Kirsty Veugelers (Parental)

Martina Woolnough (LWOP)

Currently on leave and continuing leave in 2024:

Adele Carrigan

Leah Hirt

Jenny McCulloch

Barb Roeding

Victoria Shanahan

Brittany Van Schajik-Graham

Anna Whittaker

Congratulations

Congratulations to Mr Ben & Mrs Fiona Sedick on the arrival of baby Arthur Dorian earlier in the year.

Congratulations also to Mrs Kirsty Veugelers and husband Jack on the safe arrival of baby Colt Jack recently.

Condolences

We extend our condolences to the following staff who have lost family members over the holiday break and early this year:

Mrs Cassie McLean on the passing of her father, Clement

Mr Mike Arthur on the passing of his father, Bruce

Ms Deb Hill on the passing of her brother, Steven

Mr Steve Veneris on the passing of his father in law, Garth

Mr Patrick Janes on the passing of his father, Bernard.

2024 College Theme

In 2024 our theme ‘May the love you have in your hearts be shown outwardly in your deeds’ is inspired by the words of one of our Franciscan saints - St Clare of Assisi. Clare was a person of deep faith, compassion, and courage. Her story is one that resonates across centuries, reminding us of the transformative power of love and dedication to a higher purpose.

Saint Clare exemplified the virtue of selflessness. In a world that often emphasises personal gain and success, she chose a life of poverty and humility, dedicated to serving others.

This challenges us to reflect on our own lives and consider how we can contribute to the well-being of those around us, embracing a spirit of generosity and compassion.

Peace and Blessings,

Kelly McGurn
PRINCIPAL